Fire crew respond to blaze at St. Mary Magdalen Church.
Prayer service at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Kentwood, two days after it was destroyed by fire.
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WZZM) -- Parishioners say St. Mary Magdalen Church, destroyed in a weekend fire cause by fireworks, is more than a building -- "it's a community."
Members of the church on 52nd Street SE held a prayer service Tuesday, with the backdrop of the burned out building behind their priest.
Local and federal investigators have determined fireworks played a role in the fire that started shortly after midnight Sunday.
In a news release issued Tuesday night, Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman says "fireworks were likely a factor in causing the fire." Looman says other "potential ignition sources in the area, including electrical equipment, have been eliminated as a cause."
Investigators say the origin of the fire was the roof in the rear of the church.
Previous Coverage: Kentwood fire destroys St. Mary Magdalen Church
"I feel bad for the person [responsible] because they started the church on fire," says Nicole Mason, a young St. Mary Magdalen parishioner.
Whatever or whoever caused the fire, the members of the parish say they are dealing with their feelings of loss.
"My daughter was married here," says Margaret Wagner.
But the parishioners say they are also hopeful, as the Diocese of Grand Rapids has already announced plans to rebuild the church building.
"With our new church, all the activities will come back," says Dolly Konwinski.
"We didn't lose the church," says Jim Kenzie. "The church is a community."
Members of St. Mary Magdalen Church will hold their services in the East Kentwood High School auditorium at 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday. People wishing to attend are asked to use Entrance K. Morning Mass will be also held in the Breitenstein Center near the church on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8 a.m.
The Kentwood Fire and Police departments and the federal Bureay of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the investigation.
The investigators are seeking possible witnesses to the fireworks and the fire. They are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Kentwood fire Department at (616) 554-0800, the Kentwood Police Department at (616) 698-6580, or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.
Reported by Phil Dawson and Chad Colton